Water in 1995 Procraft with mercury engine

[Wenhorse]

New boat owner here and I waited a month to get title/tags legal so I could use it. Thought the cover was waterproof but no.... lifted it today to charge batteries and it's full of water because the drain plug was in and I didn't know. I mean even covering fuel tank top and batteries... what do I do? I have the water draining but will batteries be damaged, will I need to drain oil and fuel?

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

I'd siphon some gas out the tank and verify that water didnt get into the fuel. Other than that, charge the batteries, inspect the oil, and remember to put the drain plug back in before you head out to the lake. I'd bet youre ok. The real damage is probably having the floor saturated for so long. If you're worried about it you could leave a dehumidifier running in the boat with a fan and the cover on for a few days

 

[Wenhorse]

That's comforting to know! Batteries should even be OK after being under water?

 

[Wenhorse]

How long should I let things dry before taking it out in the water? I'm going to leave it outside in the sun tomorrow but will try to get out to get a dehumidifier and pull it in to the garage as well tomorrow. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

That's comforting to know! Batteries should even be OK after being under water?

We're they actually submerged or just wet at the base? If they were fully submerged i have no idea what would happen to a battery in that scenario but it would take a lot of water to submerge a battery!

 

[roscoe]

Batteries should be fine as long as they didn't fill with excess water and some how force the acid out. I don't think that is likely to occur.
Many/most batteries are "sealed" maintenance free now days.
The exception being deep cycle batteries which will have removable caps.
12v batteries can't jump the resistance of the water, so maybe they aren't even discharged.

What type of engine? outboard ? inboard ?

Fuel tank should be ok aw well. It should be all sealed except the fill and vent, and they are usually very high, and outside the boat.

Take a half gallon fuel sample and let it sit in a glass container over night. Check for water in the gas the next day.

 

[Grub54891]

If it's an inboard, or i/o the starter should be at least taken out and took apart and dried out. It got wet, leading to failure.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Did any of the wiring get wet? That would be a big concern, as you'd be likely to experience all sorts of emerging electrical issues as wires corrode inside their sheathing.

That boat is a outboard, yes? That would at least rule out any problems with the engine.

 

[Wenhorse]

Starter, wiring was not under water. Batteries only partially submerged, gas tanks as well. Motor is outboard and safe... my main concern is getting it dry now, I think. It took on a lot of water... how long should I wait before taking it out to the lake to test? I would think anything wooden in the structure would take a while to dry.

 

[Grub54891]

Go boating. I'd like to see a pic of the area that was flooded. Maby it's fine?
Boats do get wet ya know.